According to prosecutors, Gasser escalated the situation by pursuing McKnight on a five-mile high-speed chase. The confrontation ended at an intersection, where McKnight exited his car, approached Gasser’s passenger window and was shot.

The case triggered protests after police initially released Gasser — who didn’t flee from the shooting scene — after more than eight hours of questioning, and led some to question whether race had played a role in his release.

Gasser was later arrested after law enforcement conducted a thorough investigation by gathering witness reports and physical evidence.

McKnight, who had been a high school standout, joined the University of Southern California in 2007. He went on to the NFL, spending three seasons with the Jets and one with the Chiefs before joining the Canadian Football League.